RFI - MINNEAPOLIS MN - WASHER EXTRACTOR.docx

RE: 36H79720R0005 – VAMC Minneapolis – Request for Information Braun formally requests clarification on the following questions regarding Solicitation 36H79720R0005 for VAMC – Minneapolis:

Section A (Project Special Requirements) – Subparagraph 2

Solicitation Statement:

The contractor shall disconnect and remove all old unused water, gas, steam, condensate, air and duct work. All new utilities, water, gas, steam, condensate, electrical, air shall be new and connected from the mechanical room and electrical panels to the new equipment. Electrical shall be connected to the nearest electrical panels and shall be new. All unused utilities shall be capped and setup for future equipment.

Requests for Information:

1. Please validate that the unused utilities referenced in this section only pertain to the unused utilities that directly related to the existing 700/800lb washer/extractor that is to be replaced in this solicitation at the VA Minneapolis facility.

Answer – Correct

2. This section states that all new utilities (including gas) shall be new and connected from the mechanical room. In Section B (General Installation Requirements) – Subparagraph 1 states that gas piping is to be new from building entry point to new equipment. Since the new 800 TSL Medicare washer/extractor does not have a gas utility requirement, please validate that all references to gas piping modifications within this solicitation are not valid to this project.

Answer – Correct

3. This statement defines the scope of the installation of the new utilities as being new services from the equipment back to the mechanical room or the corresponding electrical panel. In the Technical Specifications – Item #1, Subparagraph 18 states the connection points for water, steam and compressed air shall be within 10 feet of the equipment to the existing water header. The successful offeror shall also provide new branch valving and isolation valves at the equipment locations. Please confirm the installation scope intent for the utility connections to the new 800 TSL Medicare washer/extractor. Are the new utilities to be run from the mechanical room or from the existing headers?

Answer – Water connection run from the existing header, Air and Steam lines to be replaced within 10’ of the equipment and electrical new to panel

Section B (General Installation Requirements) – Subparagraph 11

Solicitation Statement:

Penetrations in floors, walls and ceilings not utilized will be filled with existing floor, wall and ceiling like material.

Requests for Information:

1. Please validate that the penetrations referred to in the above statement only pertain to the penetrations that would be directly related to utilities directly servicing the existing 700/800lb washer/extractor.

Answer –Correct only pertains to the existing 700/800 lb washer extractor.

Section B (General Installation Requirements) – Subparagraph 17

Solicitation Statement:

The textile facility will be closed during the project for no more than 90 days. The contractor will have 24-hour access to the laundry facility, seven days a week.

Request for Information:

2. In Section E – Solicitation Provisions, Provision E.2-2.c the 90 day closure of the facility is reconfirmed but in Section B (General Installation Requirements) – Subparagraph 43 it states the Minneapolis laundry facility will remain open and work performed will not impede the daily workload of the laundry. Please validate if the laundry facility will stay in operation or if it is to be shut down for 90 days.

Answer –Facility will remain open

Section E (Solicitation Provisions), Provision E.2

Solicitation Statement:

The volumes shall be submitted in a sealed envelope or box. The envelope shall be addressed to: Department of Veterans Affairs, OPAL/National Acquisition Center, Building 37, 1st Avenue, One Block North of Cermak, Hines, IL 60141, Attn: Donnie Reeves, and shall show the time specified for receipt, the solicitation number, and the name and address of the contractor.

Request for Information:

3. Section E (Solicitation Provisions), Provision E.2-4 states all documents to be sent to Attn: Linda Shirley-Diaz. Please validate who the solicitation documentation should be sent to the Attn. of with respect to the contracting officer.

Answer – Send solicitation documentation Attn: Linda Shirley-Diaz.

Section B (General Installation Requirements) – Subparagraph 16

Solicitation Statement:

All piping, hangers, sleeves, all-thread that is not being utilized for laundry operations in the laundry and mechanical room shall be removed

Request for Information:

1. Please validate that the piping, hangers, sleeves and all-thread that is referenced above is only referring to these items that are directly associated with the existing utilities that are currently servicing the 700/800lb washer/extractor.

Answer – Correct only associated with the existing 700/800 lb washer/extractor

Technical Specifications – Subparagraph 12

Solicitation Statement:

Washer-extractor shall be exhausted to the outside atmosphere. Molded flexible hose shall be used and connected to the waster-extractor for exhausting the washer to PVC Exhaust piping. All exhaust piping shall be new.

Request for Information

2. Is the existing exhaust piping associated with the existing 700/800lb washer/extractor to be demoed and removed as part of this solicitation?

Answer –If all existing washers are being exhausted on same line, then the new washer can be connected at that point.

3. If new exhaust piping is to be run to the roof, can the existing roof curb/penetration be reused for the new exhaust piping?

Answer – If existing and new washers are connected together then new piping will not be need up to the room, just to the connection point

4. If a new curb/penetration is required, then please provide the necessary information for the roofing contractor who currently holds the roofing warranty on VA roof so they can be contracted to flash in the new roof curb/penetration.

Answer – New curb not needed

Standard Form 1449

Solicitation Statement:

Item No. 0002 Wash System Controls indicates a quantity of 2 EA units. Request for Information:

5. Section B (Continuation of SF 1449 Blocks), Sub-section B.1 – Schedule of Supplies & Delivery – Item #2 indicates that the solicitation is to furnish and install one (1) each was system controls. Please validate the quantity of Wash System Controls that is to be provided as part of this solicitation.

Answer – 1 wash system control is required.